Bill Maher - New Rules about Profit

Bill Maher aptly takes on the for-profit healthcare industry, the for-profit prison industry, war profiteering and the for-profit news industry. There are some places where the profit motive does not belong. Watch, consider, act. We're #50 in life expectancy and #1 in prisons and war? And is the news media making that point? Hmmmm.

John (Torture Memo) Yoo Mocked In His Own Classroom

The Chasers War on Everything link reposted here with Kent Jones' and Rachel Maddow's great editorial comments.

Chasers War on Everything - John Yoo

Kent Jones aired this Chasers War on Everything segment on Rachel Maddow's MSNBC show last night. It aptly questions John Yoo about torture. Stunning political theatre -- and I love the final comment about Human Rights. Only a minute and a half -- please give a listen.

Several friends have taken the Facebook Universal Healthcare poll, Are you in favor of a government run healthcare system? Yes. No. Maybe.

The poll puts me in a quandary. I commented to a friend's voting yes:

Government run? Like the Veteran's system? I'm more in favor of government PAID healthcare: single payer -- an expanded and improved Medicare for all. And I would consider the public option as a compromise position. What I do know is I want insurance companies OUT. The profit motive has no place in healing. And the health industry is paying $1.3 million a day in lobbying that it keeps its greedy hold over peoples lives. If I take the poll I have to lie and say yes or my vote would likely be misinterpreted. We absolutely need affordable comprehensive healthcare for all -- and it really shouldn't be tied to jobs. Now let's all call Congress and tell them so including Blue Dog Dem Mike Ross from Arkansas. Thanks for caring, Brandon!

So now, do I take the poll to build momentum and misrepresent my position? I am not opposed to the Veterans Hospital system -- I don't think we need it over-all. Just expand and improve Medicare, congress! Now, to contact congress AGAIN. (And maybe I will call Mike Ross who needs to know his Blue Dog naysaying is affecting us all.)

To Read: Righteous Porkchop

I've just been listening to a great Ring of Fire podcast segment featuring an interview by Bobby Kennedy Jr. of vegetarian attorney activist Nicolette Hahn Niman, author of Righteous Porkchop, Finding a Life -- and Good Food -- Beyond Factory Farms. Did you know a chicken is not an animal, and therefore not entitled to laws about animal cruelty? Egg laying hens are cramped 6-9 hens per cage, live a gruesome life and when they are spent at 1 year of age they are vacuumed into a chopper while they are totally alive -- there is no attempt to make this painless or fearless.

Niman is now married to a humane cattle rancher where animals are treated relatively well. (Okay, I'm a vegetarian so I use the term relative) The disappearance of the family farmer by these large soulless corporate system should be a concern of all of us since our food supply is suffering as a result. There are hopeful signs of it shifting -- including CSAs and green markets -- but there is much to be done. Read the book or at least check out the podcast.

Add your name: WeWantThePublicOption.com

I did. And I donated, too. I want this add seen and the message out about these Democratic dunderheads who don't care about the health of We The People, only about filling their political coffers from the Insurance Industry -- and others. (Campaign Finance Reform SOON, too, please!)

Beck Loses it, Screams At Caller: "Get Off My Phone You Little Pinhead!"

When Glenn Beck doesn't have the facts on his side regarding health care, he stoops to screaming and yelling. I hope people keep this soundbite handy and re-use his shrieking whenever appropriate -- what a nut case! He needs healthcare. Mental healthcare.

Turley: We Are Begining To Look Like The Countries We Despise!

More and more comes out about the shenanigans of the "Bush crime family". George Washington University Law Professor and Constitutional law expert Jonathan Turley and Keith Olbermann discuss the illegality and the Democrats not wanting to prosecute the blatant transgressions (warrantless wiretaps et al.). To prosecute is not popular, but to ignore is likely worse. Watch this July 10th excerpt and make up your own mind. (I'm contacting Congress -- again.)

Tell Media: Include Single-Payer in Healthcare Debate

Tell Media: Include Single-Payer in Healthcare Debate

This is such an important issue -- the public option cannot be a realistic compromise without mention of Single Payer which is really the best solution to our healthcare crisis. The fact that this story is also slow on Diggs shows the effectiveness of the corporate media blackout. People aren't aware. This story so needs to be unburied. I've signed FAIR's petition (and I love their CounterSpin podcast, fyi). I firmly recommend you do likewise. Thanks!

Shared via AddThis

The Cost of Health -- Insurance vs The Public Option

This video provides food for thought. Think about it -- then call your Congressmembers -- House AND Senate. Thanks!

Marc Crawford Leavitt, Candidate at Flag Day Parade

Hey Queens friends, -- If you haven't seen this short piece about Marc Crawford Leavitt, Democratic candidate for Queens Borough president, please take a look. Learn more about his campaign at MarcCrawfordLeavitt.com and consider joining me in making a contribution. Thanks!

Sesame Street - One Little Star

YouTube holds treasures, this one a song One Little Star from Sesame Street, 1985, which could/should be part of a general repertoire. Subscribing to NantoVision brings gems from both Sesame Street and The Electric Company and brings cause for a smile, a sigh, admiration, a memory, much gratitude. Enjoy this and check out NantoVision and Nanto Vision2, which includes Zoom segments.

GRITtv: F Word: Dems Have the Majority: Where Is the Change We Believed In?

We've been asking Laura's question and we've been wondering why Dems have opted to go bi-partisan with Republicans who only know how to say no. We didn't vote for a stultified congress -- come on, Congress. We want Single Payer healthcare or at the very least a comprehensive affordable public option. (Sca-rew the health industry. They've sca-rewed US!)

Sen. Bernie Sanders on Passing Healthcare Reform Legislation

Speaking of Senator Bernie Sanders, FireDogLake has posted this great segment from MSNBC's Countdown -- hey, Senators, get behind my/our hero of We the People, Bernie Sanders!!

Dems are Selling out on Healthcare!

Mike Papantonio gives it to Senator Max Baucus and the Democrats for being pawns to the filthy wealthy healthcare lobby. 72% of Americans want meaningful healthcare reform because they are getting that money from US. Democrats must stop being "triangulating gutless moderates". Hey you guys, listen to Senator Bernie Sanders!! Single Payer or at the very least a comprehensive affordable public option NOW!